The first time I visited this magestic waterfall was in May of 2014. I was still in the early stages of my developing love of hiking. My friend Tammy Honeycutt, familiar with many local trails, was one of my truest go-to companions. She introduced me to many trail heads and road crossings of the AT. I am truly blessed to have so many different options when I sit back to plan a day or two of hiking.
The hike from Dennis Cove road to the Falls and back out is approximately 4 miles especially if one makes a little loop out of it. The first time we ventured to the Falls we followed the High Water Trail then circled back to the Falls from where the high water trail hooks back into the AT.
As we followed the AT back towards the Falls following the river, we hugged rock out croppings and walked the trail along the river bank. Making our way back towards the Falls, the water flowing swiftly to the side; it was easy to see why there needed to be a high water trail.
Laurel Fork Falls does not disappoint, no matter what season you venture there. On this January hike, after an intense cold spell, we were hoping to see the Falls in a frozen state. The temperature was rising after single digit cold but snow was still on the trail at elevation. Laurel Falls is a moderate, popular hike so we were not surprised to pass others on the trail. The first leg of the adventure is a sweet little walk that crosses a very nice wooden bridge then hugs the side of the gorge until the trail takes a 90 degree turn and heads down some steep stone steps to the base of the waterfall. This is where the High Water Trail continues in a straight line toward the Shelter. The AT is marked with white blazes, while the High Water Trail is marked with blue blazes.
The snow was melting as temperatures were rising. The bare trees let us look out over the gorge and peer down towards the river we could hear flowing. We made the left turn towards the base of the Falls. The steep, rocky decent was treacherous with mush and ice. This made this trip to the Falls more strenuous than previous visits. I slipped and muttered curses under my breath as I hit slippery spots and caught myself several times averting falls of a different kind. Slowly, carefully, with the measured steps of an old lady I followed my more sure footed companions. I caught up with them at the base of the Falls. It was the best of both worlds, the Falls were partially frozen and the contrast between the swiftly flowing water and the ice clinging to the rocky face of the cliff was stunning. We watched as other hikers made their way down, slip-sliding and even falling, just to see nature’s ice-sculpture before it inevitably thawed.
We decided to head down river and go back up using the High Water Trail hoping to avoid ice and mush and treacherous footing. We followed the river and climbed over rocky outcroppings void of ice and congratulated ourselves on the decision to take the alternate way out. We stopped at the Shelter and snacked then headed back towards Dennis Cove Road. The melting snow made a couple of places on the trail more treacherous than they had been coming in. Climbing with body momentum forcing one forward and up is easier than descending where gravity and momentum collaborate to create the conditions for tumbles with high potential for injury. In fact, I sat down and butt scooted down one little set of rocky steps. It was not one of my prouder moments, but sometimes it is good to embrace humility.
Ladies, I look forward to our next adventure.
MrsSmithsLifeUnexpected 